[ARRL-OK] An Interesting Bit of Info: Edison/Tesla battle finally ends in NYC

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.netSubject: [Milsurplus] Edison/Tesla battle finally ends in NYC.Con Edison, the local electric utility has finally stopped generating 120 VDC current for an 
older section of Manhattan. Edison fought Nichola Tesla's invention of AC current with a 
vengeance. He would have public demonstrations where AC was used to electrocute 
animals after they survived a DC jolt. (Yes, animals were harmed in this research). 
 
AC allowed step-up andd step-down transformers to make for easy long-range distribution 
of power; whereas DC networks required motor/generator setups. (high voltage on long 
lines also have a lower voltage drop because of Ohms Law, and recovering lost voltage 
can be accomplished by a step-up transformer). 
 
NYC had for the longest time into the 60s, a second AC system of 25 Hz, which is why 
older radios have 25-60 Hz ratings. But DC only radios are doomed. 
 
BTW, 400 Hz is used in aircraft beceause less iron is need in the transformers than a 
60 Hz design, saving weight.  
 
 
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